{"product_id":"second-sirte-1942-desperate-battle-relieve-malta","title":"Second Sirte 1942","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Second Battle of Sirte was a key naval clash in the Mediterranean, and a vital moment in the struggle for Malta's survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMalta was the key to the hard-fought naval campaign being waged in the Mediterranean, a link in the vital Axis supply lines between Italy and North Africa. Struggling under a sustained Axis bombing campaign, Malta depended on convoys of supplies to survive. Axis air formations dominated the skies, making any attempt to relieve the island extremely hazardous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn December 1941, a convoy from the east led to an inconclusive clash with the Italians at the First Battle of Sirte. In late March 1942, the situation escalated. The decisive clash came on the afternoon of 22 March, when British destroyers launched a series of torpedo attacks against Italian ships. At dawn, Axis aircraft appeared and a series of intense air attacks followed. Although three of the convoy's four ships reached Malta, they were sunk days later. Still, it was enough to buy Malta the time it needed to remain in the fight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis highly illustrated title by renowned naval historian Angus Konstam demonstrates the importance of radar, intelligence and airpower, and above all determination and grit in the face of a superior enemy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAngus Konstam is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and has written widely on naval history, with well over a hundred books in print. He is a former Royal Navy officer, maritime archaeologist and museum curator, who has worked in the Royal Armouries, Tower of London, and Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. Now a full-time author and historian, he lives in Orkney.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdam Tooby is an internationally renowned digital artist and illustrator. His work can be found in publications worldwide and as box art for model aircraft kits. He also runs a successful illustration studio and aviation prints business. He is based in Cheshire, UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChronology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins of the Campaign\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOpposing Commanders\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOpposing Forces and Orders of Battle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOpposing Plans\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Campaign\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAftermath\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Battlefield Today\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFurther Reading\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndex\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Osprey","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ 1st edition (2025)","offer_id":58307901686134,"sku":"9781472867223","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0285\/2287\/2891\/files\/9781472867223-Second_Sirte_1942-1-CWNB.jpg?v=1784584433","url":"https:\/\/sailorshop.co.uk\/products\/second-sirte-1942-desperate-battle-relieve-malta","provider":"SailorShop.co.uk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}